Sunday, April 25, 2010

A staple in Seth Troxler's sets late last year and early this, and so much a stand-out that much frenetic forum wanking greeted its inclusion in a mix, 'Birds And Souls' while being a great track faces the possibility of being played - out before it even gets a release. I'm not sure myself, but I think that unless it's completely fresh to the ears of those about to hear it it may be given short shrift by a large minority already in search of the next big tune. In any case, it's brilliant, as much a hands in the air rock anthem as a house one. The 'Runaway' version takes things down a dubbier and more conventionally deep house path, and is very good in its own right, while the 'Birds And Beats Extended Version' isn't extended and is more like a radio edit. What's that all about, eh? Deserves to be on whatever poor excuse for a chart show is being shown at the moment and to sweep all before it.

Soulful release from UR member and Los Hermanos founder Mitchell. 'Soul Saver' was were he made his first real mark, back in 1997 and since then his releases have been characterised by an emotive, housey sensibility. Like Octave One, deceptively simple in structure but with clever chord changes the order of the day a winning formula has been found that's difficult to beat. 'Strongholds (Cast 'Em Down)' and 'Fly Like An Eagle' both very typical of the genre. Percussive, driving, jazzy monsters that are difficult to resist on the dancefloor. The real star of the show though is 'Strongholds (Marcus Worgull Mainframe mix)' which tweaks everything and embellishes with emotion. A good, if slightly predictalble, release, with the remix standing out.

I love STL and his take on house, which seems to sit midway between hauntology and studied lo-fi. Stephan Laubner comes across as being an enigma even to himself. Why does he make music and for whom? Is it possible that the tempo is upped on this release and that it may be his most dance floor - friendly yet? The other worldly funk and "Outer Limits" noises that permeate most of his output are al present and correct but there's definitely something else lingering in the background. There are elements of dubstep in the off-kilter meanderings of 'Night Sky Watching' 'Cranky' is an excellent little metronomic piece of electro reduction and along with, 'Jump And Run' is as op-en an invitation to dance as STL is capable of giving. This is the first record. The second descends into more familiar aqueous worlds, and creates an ambience more in keeping with the general impression of this most individual of artists. And then there are the ubiquitous loops. A great touch. I left one on all night by mistake and thought I had burglars.

1A: Runwitit by DJ Qu2A: All Across The Floor1B: Retrace Your Life by Jus' Ed2B: Jusnotic by Jus' Ed

A minimal, mysterious and very rhythmic sound built for customising and mixing is what we have here. This is how STL could sound if he injected his music with cocaine instead of heroin. 'Runwitwit' and 'All Across The Floor' are genius. I don't know why I' saying this as I've heard plenty of similar tracks in my time. Maybe It's just because if I'd made them I'd feel very proud. 'Retrace Your Life' and 'Jusnotic' although not as much to my liking as the tunes on the A side, are still excellent, especially 'Jusnotic.' Jus' Ed and his cohorts have made this deep, techno-influenced house sound so much their own that soon there will be sequencers and software made with Jus' Ed plug-ins or buttons.

Without having to listen through each Optimo CD in my possession in order to make qualified comparisons, Fabric 52 does seem to be a very cohesive collection, which is something I'm always subconsciously looking for when listening to such a mix. There's very little sonic jarring here and 'tings flow very nicely. Some lovely transitions and some pregnant pauses while one waits for the bass to kick in. Of course. like a real hat trick is a goal with each foot and the head, a real mix should, maybe, also exhibit polyvalent tendencies designed to show off and entertain. Turntablism this isn't, but deft editing it is. Suffice to say it wouldn't be easy to create such a montage without the use of cutting-edge digital technology, and such software is very necessary to elevate the music even higher than normal and to really emphasise the programming, which is strongly evident in every chord and note throughout its fluid journey. Less anarchic than previous earlier commercially-available mixes, it's probably the reason why this particular release falls well within Fabric's Saturday night rubric. A very solid release, full of interesting moments that continues Fabric's strong, recent run.

Came across this one today via Jamie's Facebook page. Recorded last Friday at Plastic People when, because of the cursed cloud of volcanic ash, he stood in for Motor City Drum Ensemble. Germany's loss is our gain, as far too few of his sets are readily available. This is the most recent I've come across since the Essential Mix back at the beginning of October.

Episode 70 of "The Adventures Of Soul Clap Podcast." A series updated more often than the Wolf & Lamb one and just as good. This tumbled into my ITunes player yesterday. Subscribe to the whole series. It's well worth it.

Part of one of Seth Troxler's set at Fabric during their marathon weekend at the beginning of March. Reminds me of a young Derrick Carter does Mr Troxler. He has the same feel for the music as DC and. as mentioned in a previous post, also has a great ear for an interesting vocal.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Next on the vintage cassette set upload we've got the quintessential English spinner, Andy Weatherall. I remember the night this piece of plastic was put in my hand. I used to live in Brixton, St Matthew's Road to be precise. Some friends of mine were down from Wallasey, Mssrs Pulford and Hurst (although Hurst was a London resident at the time), and we made the short walk up to the George lV on Brixton Hill. Mr Weatherall was playing with James Ruskin, who used to have a Blueprint label night there. In any case, champion of the mixtape freebie on the door that he was/is, we were given a copy of the cassette that I've digitized for your listening pleasure. I think it was Helene, Hursty's then sort of missus, that was given it and I managed to blag it off her. It's very good, particularly the second side which owes a heavy debt to the Detroit electro sounds of the era. Sorry, no tracklist.

Andy's rather hirsute on the accompanying photo, a little different from what he looked like back then. I particularly like the tattoo on his forearm. I wouldn't have put him down as an All Spice man.

I can't remember what the night itself was called. If anyone can, please get in touch.

Monday, April 05, 2010

So, as promised last week, here's another from the vaults. This time it's Ron Hardy from The Music Box some time in the mid-to-late eighties. Quality isn't great, but as there aren't too many of his sets around it's something that's worth putting up with. I think this is already floating around on the interweb, but I could be wrong. Next it'll be Andy Weatherall from the late nineties and some Live Electrics.

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Review/Feedback Policy

No star or grading system. Everything reviewed on this blog has been done so without having first listened to the release. I think this is one way to remain impartial. Feedback will be stated as such and should not be viewed as a full review, just an impression.